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A clever workaround lets the iPhone 18 Pro Max skirt battery shipping limits

The iPhone 18 Pro Max ships with part of its battery capacity temporarily locked in software, then automatically unlocks the full battery after activation.

Hand holding a dark burgundy iPhone with three large rear camera lenses, Apple logo centered on the back, shown indoors with blurred lights and shoppers in the backgroundiPhone 18 Pro Max

Customers began receiving devices on September 18. An Apple support document published the same day explains why the iPhone 18 Pro Max arrives with a battery capacity restriction in place.

At full capacity, the iPhone 18 Pro Max battery exceeds 20 watt-hours, putting it above a threshold that brings extra shipping requirements in most countries and regions. Apple uses firmware to keep the battery below 20 Wh while the phone moves through its factory and shipping network.

The restriction disappears automatically once the owner activates the iPhone, restoring access to the battery’s full rated capacity, reports The Verge on Monday.

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